BEAUTIFUL RECEPTION AT FIRST WHITE HOUSE OF

THE CONFEDERACY.

Clipping from Montgomery Advertiser, October 7th, 1900

The reception at the Jeff Davis House on Lee Street, at which the Cradle of the Confederacy and Secession Chapters of the Daughters of the Confederacy and the White House Association entertained last evening, was one of the most brilliant that ever occurred in Montgomery.

 First White House of the Confederacy – Montgomery, Ala ca. 1900 (Alabama Department of Archives and History)

The historic old home was bedecked in the colors of the Confederacy. Over the front door was placed an arch with the word “Davis” in red on a white background. This arch was placed over the original arch which, in ’61, shed light of welcome to President Davis’s guests at the official reception held there.

White House of the Confederacy, Montgomery, Ala Postcard dated 1906 (Alabama Department of Archvies and History)

Over the entire ceiling in the hall was stretched the Confederate flag and all about it were Confederate flags, red and white bunting and Chapter flags, with beautiful tracings of Southern smilax, bringing out the beauty of the coloring.

First Parlor – First White House of the Confederacy – Montgomery, Ala ca. 1900 (Alabama Department of Archives and History)

In the old parlor on the left stood the receiving party, Mrs. Weed, Mrs. Goodlett, Miss Meares, Mrs. Hickman and the officers of the Cradle Chapter, the Secession Chapter and the White House Association. In this room was placed a picture of Mr. Davis, near which red candles burned.

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On the right of the room tea and coffee were served from tables decorated in the colors with red and white carnations and red candles in silver candelabra.

In the third apartment, where the fruited punch was served, was a picture giving evidence of patriotic devotion to the Lost Cause. The entire lower floor, in fact, was draped in red and white. The floors were covered with crash just as it was—so the story goes—on that evening, thirty-nine years ago.

Dining Room – First White House of the Confederacy Postcard- Montgomery, Ala. ca. 1900 (Alabama Department of Archives and History)

The Confederate Veterans attended this reception in a body, and as they entered the hall the band played “Dixie” and the veterans responded with a rebel yell.

General E. W. Pettus, in a beautiful and appropriate address, presented thirty veterans with the “Cross of Honor” from the Cradle of the Confederacy Chapter, U. B.C.

All during the evening Confederate music was rendered by a band that was stationed in the hall and its inspiring strains with the whole surroundings-the magnificently gowned women from all parts of the United States-the bevy of beautiful girls of 1900; the handsome Montgomery matrons who were the girls of ’61-all combined to present a rarely impressive and inspiring

One of the distinguished guests of honor at this reception was Mrs. Virginia Clay Clopton of Huntsville, one of the most important living women of the Confederacy.

Portrait of Virginia Clay-Clopton ca. 1860-1869 (Alabama Department of Archives and History)

An occasion long to be pleasantly remembered is this reception in the First White House of the Confederacy.

A Belle of the Fifties: Memoirs of Mrs. Clay of Alabama First Edition

Tapestry of Love: Three Books In One

Inspired by actual people and historical events of colonial America, “The Kingdom of Accawmacke” is revealed and secrets about America’s history are discovered in this well-researched series. The story begins in 17th century England during the reign of Charles I and continues a family’s journey to the eastern shore of Virginia and Maryland.

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At the age of sixteen, Mary and her husband, whom she barely knows, are forced to escape the only home they’ve ever known and settle in the primitive 17th century world of America where they shape their family’s destiny for generations.

Tapestry of Love: Three Books In One